2 posts · Curated China travel tips
Do I need to tip in China? Nope. Tipping isn't part of the culture here, and it can actually make things awkward. Restaurants — no tip. Hotels — no tip for housekeeping. Taxis — just pay what's on the meter. Tour guides — a small gift from home means more than cash. One time I watched a tourist leave a tip at a restaurant in Beijing, and the waitress ran after her to return the "forgotten" money. That's how unfamiliar it is here. I tell my clients: if you want to show appreciation, just say 谢谢 (xiexie) with a smile. Means more than any tip.
Here's the honest answer from someone who's spent 15 years in the travel industry: don't drink the tap water. Even I don't. But it's not a big deal. Every hotel gives you 2 free bottles a day. FamilyMart and 7-Eleven are everywhere — a 1.5L bottle costs about 3 yuan (40 cents). What I tell my clients: travel with a insulated thermos. Most hotels and restaurants have free hot water. Great for tea, and saves you buying plastic bottles all day. And yes, brushing your teeth with tap water is fine. Just don't swallow it.